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It's late at night; currently, 11:34 pm flashed on my phone screen. I'm done getting ready and all the stuff that I wanted to bring is now in my car. I went inside my house for the second time to check if I left something. After checking, I picked up the keys I put on the coffee table earlier and went outside.
I got in my car and began driving to my favorite park, which is not far from where I live; there aren't many cars around at this hour, so I arrived at the park in about 20 minutes.
I arrive at the park, I step out of my car, and a cold breeze immediately greets me. I grab my small bag from the passenger seat that has my phone, water, a jacket, my small sketchbook, and a pencil in case inspiration strikes in.
The park is quiet as usual, the leaves and plants swaying gracefully as if they're dancing harmoniously due to the wind hitting them. The benches are lit up by the post lights. The dark lake reflected the bright moon and stars. And the moonlight shines brightly as if it's happy to see me. Everything about here was perfect.
I walked to my usual spot but stopped when I saw a woman sitting on one of the benches. I was surprised to see someone around at this hour. Normally, it's just me and some other sweepers. I paid no mind since it is a public park after all. I walked past her and went to the swings to settle myself. I got my airpod max and connected it to my phone. I selected my playlist and listened while I stared at the sky full of shining stars. It was mesmerizing, it's beautiful, and nothing can ever compare to the happiness I'm feeling right now.
It is cold so I put on one of the warmest clothes I can find but still have my ‘It’s Chaeyoung' style.
As I was enjoying the song, someone tapped on my shoulder. I was shocked at the contact of someone's hand, I looked behind me to see that it was the girl earlier with a surprised face, probably because of me.
"I'm sorry. Did I bother you?" She asked. After quickly calming down, I stood up and said, "No, not at all," with a smile on my face. "Do you need something?" I asked while taking off my headphones.
"Can I sit beside you? It's getting kind of lonely. " She said shyly while having a smile on her face. From this distance, I can see her gummy smile, and now that I've seen her up close, I can see that she has moles on her face, and her eyes... are they shining? It must be from the moonlight. I thought.
“She’s quite pretty.”
I must have been staring at her for a while before she spoke worriedly, "Is there something on my face? Or am I bothering you? I can just go-" "No, I- I just spaced out, sorry." I could feel my face reddening and was I stuttering?
“And please feel free to occupy the other swing, I'm just by myself anyway."
She sat on the other swing. The atmosphere was kind of awkward and I didn’t want to leave just yet, so I started a conversation that would hopefully save us from this awkward silence.
"It’s my first time seeing you here at the park. Are you new here?" I said this while looking around, not wanting to make eye contact with the attractive woman I was speaking with. "Hm? Oh yes, yes." A light chuckle came from her. "I’m participating in a tournament, so my stay here will be short." I looked at her ‘a tournament?’ Well, I heard my friends say there would be an archery tournament, and the prize is quite big.
"The archery tournament?" I asked. I didn't expect her to be an archer. "Ah yes, may I ask how you know?" "Well, my friend was thinking about whether to participate or not, but we eventually convinced her to join." I laughed a bit, thinking about how I and a couple of others convinced our stubborn friend. It took a lot of persuading, but we eventually succeeded.
We continued to comfortably talk to each other about the tournament and a couple of other things like how she came here to my town with her Sister and a friend. I asked her quite a lot of questions but she answered all of them which made her fun to talk with.
Laughter and chuckles filled the air. Maybe that's the reason why the moon and stars shone a bit more brightly. It was not as cold when I came here, it was rather warm.
“If you don’t mind can I ask something?” The girl beside me said. I replied, “Sure, ask away.”
“Why are you here at the park at this time? Aren’t you scared out here alone?”
“You know I can ask you the same thing but since you asked me first, I’ll tell you,” I said chuckling
“I’m here because I like the atmosphere. The dark aesthetic; most importantly the Moon and the Stars. That’s probably the main reason.” I said looking up at the night sky. “The way they shine is so mesmerizing. You know?” I continued but now looking at the person beside me who was currently watching the moon.
‘She’s so pretty.’
“Okay! My turn.” I said a little bit loud making her look at me a little startled.
“Why are you here at the park late at night? Aren’t you scared?” I asked repeating what she had asked me earlier.
“Did you just copy my question? Never mind.” She said while shaking her head.
“I go to parks late at night to clear my mind, and to calm my nerves since you know, the tournament is just around the corner.” She said shyly. “ It does get a bit cold so I wear long sleeves and top it off with a jacket.”
“Oh, is that why you’re constantly pulling it to your hands?”
“Yes, I get cold easily. But it’s so nice going to parks at night.”
“I get that.”
We stopped talking but now the awkwardness was gone and we’re sitting comfortably on our swings. ‘Oh right, I don’t know her name yet. I’m just gonna ask her.’ but why am I nervous, I’m just simply asking her name- my train of thought got cut off when she spoke.
“Oh, right. What’s your name? I forgot to ask you earlier” She shyly asked.
“My name’s Chaeyoung. Son Chaeyoung.”
“I like your name. Chaeyoung.” She said smiling at me. I feel my face get hot. Why does she have to be so cute? And her moles are so beautiful, they’re like constellations of stars. Wait, right her name. I have to ask her.
“Uhm, You. Wha-what’s your name?” My face feels so hot, why am I getting nervous?
“Oh, right. My name’s M-”
Just as she was about to tell her name, her phone rang.
“I’m sorry, I gotta take this.”
“It’s alright, no worries.”
She smiled and walked away to take the call. I was so close to knowing her name. Now I regret being lost in my thoughts earlier.
I was too focused on blaming myself that I didn’t notice the girl coming back.
“Hey, sorry about that.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“I gotta get going, I have to practice early tomorrow and they found out I snuck out. I’m really sorry.”
“No, really, it’s okay. I understand.”
“Thank you. Bye!”
“Bye!” I responded. As she walked away she turned to me and said: “I’ll see you at the tournament!” she said winking at me.
I was left flustered by her action that the only words that came out of my mouth are: “Yes see you, good luck!”
‘I didn’t even get to know her name. No, no time for sulking, I can meet her at the tournament and hopefully have the courage to ask her name.’ I sighed as I thought about the wasted opportunity.
I stayed a little more at the park and went home after getting tired.